I've got a website, now what?
Our first website had a mesmerising sliding door transition. Visitors loved it, and they flocked to watch this digital novelty. It was 2006. Pretty much everything online was a novelty back then. But here's the catch: they sucked up all our bandwidth without engaging further. That's when we learnt a vital lesson: it's not just about attracting more website traffic; it's about attracting the right visitors. Having heaps of people admire your site's aesthetics is great, but if they're not engaging in the way you need them to, it's like throwing a party where everyone admires the door but never steps inside the house.
In this post you will discover:
How to attract visitors who engage, not just visit.
Methods to increase traffic with a purpose.
Techniques to ensure your traffic is beneficial.
Let's explore how you can attract visitors who do more than just 'ooh' and 'aah' at your virtual door.
You might be thinking, "Sure, these tips sound good, but do they actually work?" Let's address that scepticism head-on. The methods we're about to discuss aren't just theoretical. They're tried, tested, and proven.
We've helped businesses (including our own and clients) transform with these strategies. From local startups to global brands, these tactics have driven real results.
Remember, success doesn't just happen. It's carefully engineered. And with these insights, you're well-equipped to turn your website into a hub of meaningful activity, not just idle visits.
Optimising Content for Search Engines (SEO)
SEO stands for Search Engine Optimisation. It's the art of making your website attractive to search engines like Google. Why does this matter? Simple: higher search rankings lead to more traffic.
Let's break down how you can make this work for you.
First, focus on keyword research. Identify phrases your target audience uses when searching online. Tools like RankAtom can help. Then, integrate these keywords naturally into your website's content.
We recently did the keywords for a client, and they were really happy with the outcome. They discovered that a course they were on page one for got 10 searches a month. This explained why they weren't getting many phone calls. It wasn't them after all (yes, being on the front page but but not getting calls can mess with your head). By the end of the session, they had a list of new keywords with higher numbers, and less competition. All they have to do now is create the content on their website.
On-page optimisation is crucial for SEO success. It involves fine-tuning elements on your website to improve search engine rankings. Let's delve a bit deeper into this.
Meta descriptions are brief summaries of your page content. They appear under your page title in search results. A compelling meta description with your target keywords can increase click-through rates.
Title tags are equally important, they can also be known as H1 tags. They're the clickable headlines in search results. Include your primary keyword here. It helps search engines understand your content's relevance.
Lastly, header tags (H2, H3, etc.) structure your content. They make it easier to read and help search engines grasp the main topics. Your primary keyword should feature in these tags, especially in H1.
A plumbing website we look after uses these tactics. They revised meta descriptions, title tags, and headers for their top pages. The result? Improved rankings and a notable increase in organic traffic.
Remember, on-page optimisation isn't just tweaking. It's about making your site both user-friendly and search engine-friendly.
Lastly, remember content is king. remember, content is the cornerstone of your website. It's what engages visitors and keeps them coming back. High-quality, engaging content is not just about filling pages; it's about providing real value.
Value can mean many things: solving a problem, offering insights, or simply entertaining. Your content should answer questions that your audience is asking. Use tools like Google's "People also ask" for ideas.
Engaging content also means variety. Mix blog posts with videos, infographics, and podcasts. This caters to different preferences and boosts engagement.
Search engines love fresh, updated content. A blog that regularly posts relevant, in-depth articles will rank higher over time.
Consider a landscape gardening website that started sharing detailed guides, how-to videos, and regular blog updates. Their audience grew, spent more time on the site, and shared the content, and the phone has yet to stop ringing with hot leads. In fact, our landscaper loves it so much he's expanded his content into Reels and Shorts sending even more traffic back to his website!
Invest in your content. It builds trust with your audience and search engines alike. Remember, great content speaks for itself.
Leveraging Social Media Platforms
Social media is a powerhouse for driving website traffic. It's not just about posting content; it's about creating connections. Here's how to harness this potential effectively.
Firstly, choose the right platforms. Where does your audience hang out? Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook? Focus your efforts there. It's about quality, not quantity.
Then, it's about engaging content. This doesn't just mean pretty pictures. Share stories, tips, behind-the-scenes glimpses. Make your content relatable and shareable.
Consistency is key. Regular updates keep your audience engaged and drive them to your website.
A local fitness trainer used this approach on Instagram. They shared workout tips, client success stories, and nutrition advice. Their following grew, and so did their website visits. They connected, they engaged, and they converted.
Now, let’s turn to email marketing and how it can work wonders for your traffic.
Utilising Email Marketing Effectively
Email marketing is a classic yet effective way to boost website traffic. It's direct, personal, and cost-effective. Let's explore how to do it right.
First, it's all about the mailing list. Grow it organically. Offer something valuable in exchange for email sign-ups. Think ebooks, webinars, or exclusive discounts.
Crafting compelling newsletters is crucial. They should be informative, engaging, and visually appealing. Keep your audience eager for your next email.
Segmentation is your friend. Tailor your content to different groups within your audience. This increases relevance, engagement, and visits to your website. If someone has booked you for a boiler service, don't follow up with an email encouraging them to book the same boiler service. This is annoying, and a little segmentation fixes it.
Consistency in sending emails matters too. Regular contact keeps you on your audience’s radar without overwhelming them.
For example, an online retailer started sending weekly newsletters featuring new products, special offers, and useful tips. This felt uncomfortable for them at first. Until I pointed out that Amazon sends 6 or 7 emails a day promoting products. In comparison, a weekly email doesn't seem so much! Result? More clicks, more visits, more sales.
So, we've journeyed through the realms of SEO, social media, and email marketing. Each strategy, a piece in the puzzle of driving the right traffic to your website.
We started with SEO. Remember, it’s about getting noticed by search engines through smart keyword use and valuable content.
Social media showed us the power of connection and engagement. It’s more than just posting; it’s about building relationships.
Email marketing taught us the art of direct, personalised communication. Regular, relevant emails can turn readers into visitors and customers.
The right website traffic makes all the difference. It’s not just numbers; it’s about engaging the right people. Apply these tips, and watch not only your traffic increase but also the quality of your visitors.
Thinking of taking your digital marketing to the next level? Talk to me about our 99QuidWebsites. These 3 page websites also have social media tools, and email marketing baked in. And if you need help with the content? We can do that too. Just send me a message and we can talk about accelerating your growth online.
Kevin
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